DK202300055U1 - SOLAR CELL REPORT - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a solar cell carport for generating renewable energy for businesses, household use and/or for recharging electric vehicles. The invention provides a solar carport comprising: at least one support structure and a roof supported by at least one support structure, the roof is intended to support at least one solar panel, at least one support structure is formed of FRP material and comprises an outer shell enclosing an inner volume, and at least one hydrogen storage tank disposed within the interior volume for storing hydrogen fuel for delivery to a vehicle. Another aspect provides a flow battery disposed within the at least one support structure.

Description

l DK 2023 00055 U1

SOLAR CELL REPORT

The field of application of the invention

The invention relates to an improved solar carport for generating and storing energy for grid support, business, household use and/or for recharging electric vehicles, as well as for storing and distributing hydrogen fuel for hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Known technique

Carports are known as covered structures provided with a roof or half-roof, under which one or more vehicles can be parked, in order to provide a degree of shelter for the vehicle. It is also known to utilize the roof of such a structure to place solar panels and/or solar thermal modules, for example to generate electricity and/or heat water, and such structures may be designed to accommodate a smaller number of vehicles, or may cover large parking areas that accommodate a large number of vehicles. Existing solar carports are typically constructed of steel and have load-bearing structures connected to and supporting a roof to which is attached a solar photovoltaic (PV) panel to generate electricity. All additional associated components such as electrical components (for example cables, converters and/or charging sockets) or water diversion equipment are either attached to the exterior of the solar carport, contained internally, or placed separately on the carport.

There is a need for carports that can effectively support solar PV technology or solar heating modules with associated equipment over large spans, and that can contribute to the sustainability of existing properties and especially to new property projects by addressing the need for sustainable and renewable materials, and generation and storage of renewable energy.

WO 2019/064010 Al discloses a solar carport comprising hollow support structures.

Summary

The present invention provides a carport, in particular a solar cell carport, 1 according to claim 1. In another aspect, the invention provides a carport according to claim 6.

, DK 2023 00055 U1

The invention provides a carport in which the support structures preferably consist of a hollow FRP (fiber-reinforced plastic/fiber-reinforced polymer) structure in the form of an outer shell which is flexible, easy to manufacture and contains an inner space or inner volume which can be advantageous to accommodate several different components related to the functionality of the system, as discussed below. The internal volume can be used to store hydrogen fuel, and/or can be used to contain liquid electrolytes to form a flow battery, in particular for the storage of electrical energy generated by solar PV cells provided on the roof of the carport. In one embodiment, the invention provides a solar cell carport comprising at least one support structure, wherein at least one support structure comprises a stem part placed on a surface and a branch part connected to, or shaped integrally with, the stem part, the stem part and the branch part have each a hollow interior which when connected together defines an interior volume or cavity within the 1 support structure. The support structure may comprise at least one support tray and/or beam placed on the branch part of the support structure, supporting at least one solar panel for absorbing solar energy. At least one electrical component connected to at least one solar panel may be located within the inner volume of the support structure. The invention can advantageously integrate energy storage, for example in the form of a battery or storage of fuel such as hydrogen fuel, within at least one support, protecting the components used for such storage from the external environment and limiting access to the components.

Embodiments of the invention also combine electricity generation, for example in the form of solar PV cells, with energy storage, for example in the form of a flow battery, and/or the provision of energy for vehicles, for example in the form of electric vehicle charging and/or delivery of hydrogen fuel.

Each support structure may comprise a preferably upright central stem portion for mounting on the ground, and a branch portion for supporting the roof, the branch portion comprising at least one laterally projecting branch portion designed to provide a preferably flat upper surface for supporting the roof. Preferably, the upper surface provides a preferably flat (it is also necessary to also cover curved roots considering the advantage of flexible materials and solar paint) surface on which a preferably flat roof structure can be supported, which is for example advantageous for supporting large spans of flat

2 DK 2023 00055 U1 solar cells. However, other forms of roof structure can be supported, and the upper surface of the support structures can be shaped accordingly. The term "ground" herein may refer to surfaces other than the ground itself, such as, for example, an above-ground level in a multi-story parking lot, or a roof or other platform on which vehicles may be parked and the carport installed. It is advantageous that the carport can also be used in installations accommodating various types of vehicles, but not limited to cars, vans, trucks, bicycles, scooters, and the like, and can provide shelter and preferably electric charging and/or hydrogen fuel filling for any such vehicle. The support structure can also be designed to support a roof structure in other applications, such as over water, for example in a reservoir, river, sea or lake, in which case the support structures can be either fixed or floating.

In one embodiment, the branch part and the stem part of the support structure each comprise individual molded continuous fiber constructions. Alternatively, the entire support structure may comprise a single molded component. This advantageously provides a simple assembly and avoids structural vulnerabilities where components must be connected. These constructions can be used to advantageously provide a single continuous volume within the support structure, to maximize the internal volume for storing components such as storage tanks for electrical components, water, gases and/or battery electrolytes, which will be described below. The branch part may comprise one branch part or two branch parts extending laterally in opposite directions. In a preferred embodiment, each branch part and stem part is made of a continuous fiber reinforced plastic.

In a preferred embodiment, the branch part has a variable moment of inertia. This increases the overall strength and achievable spans of the branch section, and also reduces deflection along its length. The roof structure can also have a variable moment of inertia along its length to increase the strength and achievable span of the roof. In some embodiments, the branch part can be reinforced with carbon fiber, flax fiber or other high modulus materials to further improve the above parameters.

The roof may comprise several roof elements each extending in one direction to form a span between two spaced support members, each roof element arranged parallel to, and connected to, an adjacent roof element. Each roof element can

2 DK 2023 00055 U1 comprise a preferably flat base and side walls extending preferably perpendicularly from the base to form a U-shaped cross-section, roof elements (also referred to herein as "trays") being arranged such that the side walls of adjacent roof elements abut each other and are connected together along the length of the span. This configuration has been found to stiffen the roof and enable the roof to achieve a large span (e.g. 15 - 18 m) between adjacent support structures. At least one roof element, and preferably every other (e.g. supplementary) roof element, is provided with a laterally extending flange extending from a rear edge of at least one side wall, and arranged to seat against the distal edge of the side wall of a adjacent roof element. This further increases the rigidity of the roof, and can also be used to provide a watertight seal between adjacent roof elements. The roof elements can be formed from materials including, but not limited to, FRP, for example fiberglass, with a core of balsa wood, foam or PET, or other lightweight core material.

This design has resulted in being able to provide a lightweight but stable roof structure which is also resistant to water.

In some embodiments, the solar panel is a solar PV panel. In a preferred embodiment, the solar PV panel is connected to the electrical grid via the cavity in the support structure. This synergistically protects the grid connection from the outdoor environment while protecting the environment from the electrical grid connection.

In some embodiments, the solar panel is a solar panel that provides hot water.

In some embodiments, a battery system can be contained within the cavity of the support structure. In a preferred embodiment, the battery system may include an EV charging point. In embodiments containing both solar PV panels and a battery system, the energy generated by the solar PV panels can be used to charge the battery system. In some embodiments, the stem portion and/or branch portion of the support structure may include a flow battery containing storage tanks for storing cathodic and anodic liquid electrolytes, a pair of electrodes separated by a membrane, and one or more pumps to circulate the electrolytes past the membrane . The electrolyte storage tanks can be contained within, or integrally formed within, the same support structure, or within separate support structures. In other embodiments, hollow support structures can be used to house cylinders and/or tanks for storing hydrogen, for delivery to hydrogen-powered vehicles. IN

. DK 2023 00055 U1 the embodiments described below, it will be preferred that embodiments described as being designed to store hydrogen can alternatively be used to store other fuels such as, but not limited to, LPG.

Brief description of the figures

The embodiments of the present invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 shows a solar carport configuration;

Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the configuration of trays for use as roof structure 1 a solar carport;

Figure 3 shows a side view of a support structure, and a plan view of the coverage area of the base of the structure;

Figure 4 schematically shows the interior of a support structure containing hydrogen storage tanks, and Figure 4a shows a cross-section through line a-a in Figure 4;

Figure 4b shows an alternative configuration of a support structure, showing schematically the interior of the support structure containing hydrogen storage tanks, and Figure 4c shows a cross section through line a-a in

Figure 4b;

Figure 5 schematically shows an alternative configuration of the support structure containing an integrated hydrogen storage tank, and Figure ba shows a cross-section through line a-a in Figure 5;

Figure 6 schematically shows the interior of a support structure designed to provide a flow battery for storing generated electrical energy, Figure 6a shows a cross-section through line a-a in Figure 6, and Figure 6b shows a cross-section through line b-b in Figure 6; and

Figure 7 schematically shows an alternative configuration of support structures designed to provide a flow battery, Figure 7a shows a cross section through line a-a in Figure 7, Figure 7b shows a cross section through line b-b in Figure 7, and Figure 7c shows a cross section through line c-c in Figure 7.

Detailed description of the embodiments

Several modifications, adaptations, and variations of the embodiments described herein will be apparent to one skilled in the art with the benefit of the present information, and such modifications, adaptations, and variations resulting in additional embodiments of

. DK 2023 00055 U1 present invention is also within the scope of accompanying claims.

The solar carport described in the below-mentioned embodiments allows the generation of renewable energy for business, household use and/or for recharging electric vehicles.

The embodiments also provide, in addition or alternatively, energy storage in the form of gas tanks, such as hydrogen tanks, and/or battery systems, either one or both can be placed within the support structure of the carport structure itself. Where the carport structure provides storage of hydrogen, it can also provide the possibility of dispensing stored hydrogen to hydrogen-powered vehicles. The system contains many new and innovative design advantages as described in more detail below.

Figure 1 shows a carport 10 containing several support structures 12, placed at intervals along the length of the carport and separated by a span between the support structures. The support structures support a roof which is arranged to support or contain solar panels or solar thermal boxes for the production of electricity or heating of water etc. The support structures are typically separated by intervals (i.e. spans) of 8 to 14 m, and typically these spans correspond to a number of adjacent vehicle parking spaces on the ground below. Different spans can be achieved between the support structures and in some cases spans of around 18 m can be used. Depending on the installation, the roof can span between a single support structure and a building, instead of between multiple support structures.

Each support structure 12 is positioned such that the roof is supported at an angle (typically a few degrees) horizontally as appropriate to the site, preferably to maximize sunlight exposure thereby enhancing the yield of the sun. Means may be provided to adjust the angle of the solar panels relative to the roof, or the angle at which the roof is supported by the support structures relative to the ground. The support structure 12 includes a hollow structure, typically molded from glass reinforced plastic (GRP) or fiber reinforced plastic (FRP), to form a base, or trunk, part 14 and a roof support, or branch, part 13. The composite material of the hollow structure can be reinforced with carbon fibers, or other types of fibers, preferably renewable materials such as hemp fibers, flax fibers and/or basalt fibers. Sustainable plant based epoxy resin can also be used in the construction. In the embodiment in Figure 1,

, DK 2023 00055 U1, the trunk part is preferably upright and wide centrally in relation to the support structure, and extends vertically around a central vertical axis of the structure (not shown), however, other configurations of the support structure can be provided, for example as described below in connection with Fig. 4b. As shown in Fig. 1 and 3, the trunk part can be fixed to the ground to anchor the carport structure. In the embodiment shown, the branch portion 13 extends from the stem portions 14 to form two branches 13a, 13b extending in opposite directions outward from the stem portion and providing a flat upper surface 13c which provides a support for the roof 20 (shown in an exploded view in Fig 1, separated from the support structures on which it rests in the overall carport structure). In some embodiments, as shown, the branches 13a, 13b are preferably equal in the extent of their transverse extension from the trunk, while in other embodiments (not shown) they may vary in length such that the branch portion may extend predominantly in the direction of only one or second branch. The design of the branches is typically such that the roof covers the length of one or two car parking spaces placed perpendicular to the direction of the span, plus a small additional degree of overhang to provide weather protection for parked vehicles in such parking spaces.

The use of materials such as GRP/FRP to form a hollow structure allows the support structures to be repaired as a result of damage, for example caused by collisions with vehicles using the carport, by cutting out and replacing damaged parts of the shell of the structure. Parts of the structure can also be replaced in the same way for other reasons, for example to replace or update EV charging ports if necessary, thereby achieving flexibility in the functionality of the carport.

The support structure can be formed as a single component or, as shown in Fig. 3, the trunk part 14 and the branch part 13 can be separate components which are connected, for example bolted together. At least some parts of the support structure can be provided with a composite core to improve structural rigidity, which can be formed from, for example, PVC or Pet foam.

As shown in Fig. 1 and 2, the roof itself can be formed from one or more roof elements extending between adjacent support structures in the direction of the span, and preferably from several such roof elements extending parallel between adjacent support structures. Each roof element can be designed in the form of a tray 22, 24 comprising a flat base 25 and side walls 26a, b extending

2 DK 2023 00055 U1 preferably perpendicularly from the base, as shown in cross-section in Fig. 2.

Fig. 1 and 2 show a portion 20 of a roof, the depicted portion comprising three parallel ridges of a length designed to extend between two adjacent support structures 12. In some embodiments, a complete roof may comprise nine parallel ridges, for example, each typically in the length of the span between adjacent support structures, however, it would be advantageous that other designs are possible (for example, take elements with a length of two or more spans, or take elements that are assembled along the span between support elements).

As shown in Fig. 2, in a preferred embodiment, trays forming the roof are placed side by side and connected to each other along their sidewalls 26a to form the roof. The trays 22, 24 may be bolted together, or assembled by other means, to form a rigid roof structure. Typically, the trays are connected together to form a complete roof span, and then connected (eg bolted) through their ends to the vertical support structures to form the carport. The trays can be made of FRP/glass fiber and can have a foam core, or a core of PET plastic (for example made from recycled plastic bottles) or another lightweight foam core material.

As shown in 1 Fig. 2, every other tray 22, 25 can be formed with a cover flange 27, typically 50 mm wide, along the distal edge of the extended side walls 26a, b. Supplementary trays 24 can then be placed against the flanges of adjacent trays. This provides increased rigidity and can also be used to form a watertight seal between adjacent trays. In some embodiments, this watertight seal may also provide a drainage path to direct rainwater to a storage tank within the support structure 12 from which the roof is supported. This design of trays has been found to provide a strong roof structure which can support a greater weight of solar panels than conventional carport roof structures. Alternatively, each tray may be identical and the cover flange may be formed on a side wall in each tray so that the side wall of each tray which is provided with a cover flange abuts the side wall of an adjacent tray which is not provided with a flange and has space against the flange of the adjacent tray.

When the roof elements are designed as trays (as shown in Fig. 2), such trays can be placed in two different directions, i.e. (i) in an upright configuration with the base 25 at the bottom and the side walls

2 DK 2023 00055 U1 extending upwards; or (ii) in an inverted configuration (shown in Fig

Fig. 2), in which the base 25 is at the top and the side walls 25 extend downwards. The choice of direction may depend on the type of solar panel technology that is supported by the roof, for example solar

PV, solar thermal, or other. For solar PV panels, an inverted configuration may be preferred to provide a flat surface which allows air flow underneath the solar PV panels to provide cooling. In that case, the solar PV panels can be bolted or clamped to the trays. In an installation containing solar thermal panels, it may be preferred to mount such panels using trays in an upright configuration such that the panels sit within the panels and the walls 26a,b assist in mounting the panels, however the panels may still be bolted or stuck to the hills.

It will be appreciated that other forms of roof structure can be provided instead of the design shown in Fig. 2. For example, the roof structure may include one or more beams of a suitable cross-section, for example "T" beams or "I" beams.

In Fig. 3 shows a support structure in more detail. As mentioned above, support element 12 extends between the distal tips of two branches 13a, 13b over a distance typically slightly more than the length of one or two car parking spaces, depending on the configuration of the carport in relation to the parking spaces below it. The width of the support structure 12 in a perpendicular direction (ie in the direction of the span) may typically be around 400 mm.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the stem part 14 and the branch part 13 are formed as separate components, and are bolted together, or joined together by other means. The bottom of the stem part 14 is attached to the ground, in this case by bolts 16. Fig. 3 also shows a plan view of the coverage area 30 of the stem part 14 of the support structure 12, showing that the stem part comprises a hollow structure with a preferably elliptical cross-section. In one embodiment, the trunk portion is secured to the ground by providing a flange (not shown) extending inwardly from the circumference of the bottom of the trunk portion where it meets the ground, so as to provide a preferably horizontal surface adjacent to the ground within the hollow trunk portion . The flange can then be fixed to the ground surface, for example using several bolts, before the branch part is connected to the stem part (so as to provide access to the interior of the stem part before the branch part is attached), or alternatively the inner flange can be accessed o DK 2023 00055 U1 via an access panel or an inspection member provided in the trunk part. This design provides a mechanism for securing the support structure to the ground while remaining hidden from view from the outside of the structure.

In end view (not shown) the bases of the branches 13a, 13b are elliptical and become concave when the branch enters the stem part. The top 13c of the branch part 13 is flat but is typically bent a few degrees to horizontal as shown in Fig. 3.

Inspection limb 1 the side or top of the support structure may be provided to access the bolts, cables and other equipment contained within the support structure which may include antennas, inverters, data recorders, cellular transmitter receivers, Wi-Fi boosters and other electronic equipment. More generally, the support structure can be used to contain, internally or externally, antennas for all types of telecommunications including Long-Term

Evolution (LTE) for wireless broadband communication for mobile devices and data terminals, currently based on GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA technologies. The described support structures provide an advantage of not being formed of metal, thereby avoiding interference with wireless signals, which is a major barrier for all wireless technologies, especially the latest developments with 5G.

As shown in Fig. 3, the branches 13a, 13b of the branch part 13 form a variable inertia beam, in which each branch is tapered towards its distal tip so that the weight of each branch (and its moment of inertia) is reduced towards its tip, reducing the weight towards the extremities of the cantilever branches. In particular, this has been achieved in the design 1 Fig. 3 of the tapered curve on the underside of the branch part, opposite the flat upper surface 13c.

The hollow volume in the support structures as described above can be advantageously used to provide a battery storage space for storing one or more batteries, as well as being used for storing electricity generated from the solar PV panels in the carport, and/or for use for EV charging and/or used as backup batteries to maintain the electrical function of the carport in the absence or failure of other power supplies. In particular, the hollow structure can be used to store lithium-ion (Li-ion) or lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO) batteries within spaces provided in the hollow internal volume 1 structure. The battery system can have connection means on the outside of the support structure (for example 1 form of an EV charging point or other type of power terminal for

1 DK 2023 00055 U1 each a variation of known use), or the battery can be used to power other functions in the carport such as a mobile device charging point or an electronic display for use as an information display, advertising spaces, user interfaces, payment points for EV charging or parking and more. The battery can be charged by one or more solar PV panels placed on the roof of the carport above the support structure. Variations of these designs are described below with reference to Figs. 6 and 7, in which a flow battery is integrally formed within the hollow structure of the support structure itself, instead of a conventional pre-formed Li-ion or LiFePO battery contained within the hollow structure.

Alternatively, an EV charging point can be provided in the support structure with power supplied by a connection to the electricity grid, in which case any necessary component can be contained within a storage space within the support structure. In this design, power can also be supplied to the grid from solar PV panels contained in the carport. In some cases, power can also be supplied to the grid by batteries placed inside the support structure and/or by vehicles connected to an EV charging point, for example to provide support to the grid if the grid is under great pressure.

Fig. 4 to 7 show various additional designs of support structures and other features which can be used in the carport of Fig. 1.

Referring first to Fig. 4 and 5, these figures illustrate designs in which the hollow structure of a support structure is utilized to store hydrogen, in particular for delivery to hydrogen-powered vehicles, such as hydrogen fuel cell vehicles or hydrogen combustion engine vehicles.

Fig. 4 shows a design in which the hollow support structure 40 is preferably as described above, and in which the internal cavity within the structure is used to house one or more hydrogen storage tanks 41, 42, 43, 44 for storing hydrogen which has been used for delivery to hydrogen-powered vehicles. Such vehicles can easily be parked close to or under the carport structure. Fig. 4 shows two tanks 42, 43 located within the central part of the structure 40, and additional tanks 41, 44 located within the branches of the structure. It would be advantageous if any of the tanks shown could be provided in combination, or individually as an alternative. Although two tanks 41, 44 are provided within respective branches, which can provide a more even load distribution in the structure,

H DK 2023 00055 U1 in some examples a tank or tanks can be provided in only one of the branches of the support structure. The tank or tanks provided within the support structure 40 can be designed to have any shape, and in particular a shape which provides the required structural integrity and/or makes efficient use of the available space within the hollow support structure. In one example, as shown, the tank or tanks may be preferably cylindrical, especially where the tanks store hydrogen under high pressure.

Fig. 4a shows a cross section of the support structure 40 through line a-a in Fig. 4, and shows that tank 42 is placed inside the structure so that it is completely surrounded by the material of the support structure 40.

This enables the outer material of the support structure to be designed in such a way that the tank receives suitable impact protection, thermal protection, fire protection, chemical protection, etc. which may be required to allow hydrogen storage tanks to meet required safety standards and which are discussed in more detail below.

In the design shown 1 Fig. 4 and 4a, tanks 42 and 43 extend from essentially ground level to the top of the support structure 40.

However, in other examples these tanks can be raised above ground level, and in particular above a level where they will be susceptible to direct impact damage from a vehicle colliding with the support structure 40. This protects the tanks from risk of damage and potential rupture in the event a vehicle collides with the structure. Similarly, any tanks located in the branches of the structure, such as tanks 41 and 44 shown, are protected from damage by being located above the height of vehicles that the carport structure is intended to accommodate. Placing one or more tanks in these branches makes efficient use of available space within the hollow structure, while placing the tanks away from the risk of direct impact from a vehicle.

Where the structure is made of an FRP material, it will be advantageous that it can be repaired in the event of collision damage, for example by cutting out and replacing damaged parts of the structure with new FRP panels.

The structure 40 may also be provided with suitable means (not shown) for filling the tank(s) with hydrogen, and for delivering stored hydrogen to vehicles. Such means may include compression and cooling means to deliver hydrogen to vehicles under pressure up to, but not limited to, about 700

DK 2023 00055 U1 bar, and it will be known to a person trained to do so. The tanks located in the support structure may be designed to store hydrogen under pressure of between 20 and 200 bar (2 to 20 MPa). During the filling process, hydrogen can be delivered from the storage tanks via a compressor to a smaller high-pressure storage tank immediately before filling, to make a transfer of the hydrogen fuel to a vehicle tank with up to about 700 to 1000 bar (7o to 100

MPa). Alternatively, a compression system can be used to transfer the hydrogen fuel directly from the storage tanks in the support structure to the vehicle's fuel tank without intermediate high-pressure storage. It would be advantageous if one or more high-pressure tanks could be provided within one or more of the support structures, for use as high-pressure tanks during a filling operation.

Although the support structure in Fig. 1, 3, and 4 are shown each containing an upper branch part with two branch parts extending laterally in opposite directions, the branch parts can be arranged in different configurations. In particular, the support structure may comprise only a single laterally extending branch portion. Where only a single branch part is provided, the single branch part can be either of the branch parts shown in these figures, for example either the upper branch part 13a or the lower branch part 13b as shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 4b shows an alternative example of a hollow support structure 46, arranged to house hydrogen storage tanks in a similar manner to Fig. 4a, but in which the support structure comprises a trunk part and only a single laterally extending branch part 46a, corresponding largely to the upper branch 13a 1 structure shown in Fig. 3. The design in Fig. 4b is largely similar to that shown in Fig. 4, and like reference numbers are used to indicate like components. In the design shown in Fig. 4b, the hydrogen storage tanks 41, 42 and 43 are shown placed inside the hollow support structure 46, but the storage tank 41 is placed in the branch part 46a and the storage tanks 42 and 43 are placed inside the stem part of the structure 46. Fig. 4c shows a cross section of the support structure 46 through the line a-a in Fig. 4b, and shows the tank 42 placed inside the trunk part 46 and the tank 41 placed with the branch part 46a, with both tanks completely surrounded by the material of the support structure 46, so that it is possible to shape the outer material of the support structure to provide the tank with suitable impact protection, thermal protection, fire protection, chemical protection, etc., as discussed further below.

1 DK 2023 00055 U1

It would be advantageous for a design of the support structure to have only a single laterally extending branch part, for example, as shown in Fig. 4b, which can be used in any of the other described embodiments of a carport structure, and can be replaced in place in the design of the support structure shown in any of the figures.

Fig. 5 shows a design similar to that in Fig. 4, but in which the hollow support structure 50 is used to provide an integral storage tank for the storage of a volume of hydrogen 52. To meet appropriate safety requirements, the hollow structure may be an FRP structure as described above, and the inner surface of the hollow structure may be provided with additional protective material to provide a robust integrated storage tank for safe and effective containment of hydrogen.

Such protective material can be selected to provide impact protection, thermal protection, fire protection, chemical protection, etc., which will be described in more detail below.

Fig. Sa shows a cross section of the support structure 50 through the line a-a in Fig. 5, and shows that in this design, preferably all of the internal volume of the hollow structure 50 can be used as an integral storage tank, although it would be advantageous that any part of the hollow structure could be used to form such an integral storage tank. For example, in an alternative design, only the upper branch portions of the structure can be used to store the hydrogen in the volume of the hollow structure above a height at which the structure will be susceptible to direct impact damage from a vehicle colliding with the support structure, which described in connection with Fig. 4.

As with the design in Fig. 4 to 4c, the structure 50 may also be provided with suitable means (not shown) for filling the tank(s) with hydrogen, and for dispensing stored hydrogen to vehicles.

Referring now to Fig. 6, an embodiment is shown in which a battery is provided within the hollow structure 60, and in particular in which the battery is provided as a flow battery in the illustrated embodiment, the flow battery is provided as an integrated flow battery in which the hollow volume of the support structure is used to provide integrated electrolyte storage tanks as described below, which are formed from the support structure itself, but the flow battery can also be in. DK 2023 00055 U1 implemented by using separate storage tanks which are housed and mounted within the hollow volume of the support structure.

As shown in Fig. 6, the hollow support structure is provided with a positive electrolyte (anolyte) tank 61, a negative electrolyte (catholyte) tank 62 and an electrochemical cell 63. The electrochemical cell comprises two electrodes 64, 66, separated by a semi-porous membrane 65. Fig. 6a shows a cross-section along the line a-a in Fig. 6, and illustrates the membrane 65 arranged between the two electrodes 64, 66. Fig. 6b shows a cross-section along the line b-bi Fig. 6, and illustrate the surface of the membrane 65, and the shape of this particular example. It may also occur that the membrane in this case runs the full length of the support structure 60, and has a narrower width corresponding to the depth of the support structure.

Pumps 67a, 67b are provided to pump the respective electrolytes from the electrolyte tanks through the electrochemical cell and past the membrane where ion exchange takes place to convert chemical energy into electricity. The electrolyte circulates through the electrochemical cell 63 by means of the pumps returning to the respective electrolyte tanks via respective lines 68a, 68b.

The battery can be used to store electrical energy generated from solar cells mounted on the roof of the supporting structure as described above, and/or to store electricity provided from the power grid or generated by other means, in particular by other forms of renewable energy generated on or around the place where the carport structure is placed. The battery can also be used to supply electricity to electric vehicles placed under or around the carport structure, for example from a charging point (not shown) provided in the trunk of the support structure and therefore easily accessible to a vehicle parked under the carport. The battery can, alternatively or in addition, be used to supply electricity to the grid. An inverter 69 may be provided to convert direct current from the battery to alternating current, for use in charging electric vehicles or supplying other loads or electricity transmission requirements.

In one example, the flow battery may be a vanadium flow battery, or vanadium redox battery, which may use vanadium based electrolytes and carbon based electrodes. Alternatively, the flow battery can be a zinc-bromine battery. However, other battery chemistry and flow battery operations can be provided that make use of

DK 2023 00055 U1 the possibility of expediently storing relevant components within the hollow volume of the support structure 60.

The electrolyte tanks can advantageously be provided in respective opposite branches of the support structure, and the preferably vertical stem part of the support structure can be used to house the electrochemical cell 63. In this way, the hollow volume of the branches, which form a significant part of the internal the volume of the support structure advantageously provides volume for the electrolyte storage tanks, whose volume determines the storage capacity of the battery, and the preferably vertical stem part advantageously provides a large linear contact area between the electrolyte storage tanks to enable the electrochemical reaction along the electrodes while the electrolytes are circulated.

By using electrolyte storage tanks that are integrally shaped inside the hollow structure of the support structure, and especially in the branches, it is possible to maximize the efficient use of the hollow space inside the structure, and increase the energy density of the battery.

Furthermore, due to the configuration of the support structure, it is possible in some designs of the flow battery to make use of gravity to assist in the circulation of electrolyte from the storage tanks through the electrochemical cell, especially where the electrolyte storage tanks are placed in branches of the support the structure. The pumps can then be used to help circulate the electrolyte back through the storage tanks.

Fig. 7 shows a further design of a flow battery system, in which several individual support structures of the carport structure are used as different elements of the flow battery. In particular, Fig. 7 shows an embodiment in which three adjacent support structures 70, 72, 74 are used respectively to provide a negative electrolyte tank, an electrochemical cell and a positive electrolyte tank. The flow battery works in essentially the same way as the design 1 Fig. 6, but the elements of the flow battery are housed in different parts of a carport structure which includes several hollow support structures. For example, three support structures 70, 72 and 74 may support a roof structure (not shown) over at least all three support structures, which in turn may support a series of solar cells (not shown) as described above, and may provide space to houses parked vehicles under the roof and between the support structures. By implementing the battery over several support structures which are used to support the carport's roof exciting

+ DK 2023 00055 U1 between them, the carport structure is provided with a battery with an overall larger volume which can house the electrolytes and electrochemical cell, and in this way the battery can be provided with a larger storage capacity. This design also advantageously combines the structural elements of the carport with elements forming the flow battery, to make efficient use of space in the area of the carport.

The flow battery design in Fig. 7 functions essentially in the same way as the design in Fig. 6, except that the electrolyte tanks and the electrochemical cell are provided in separate hollow structures and connected by suitable supply lines to allow electrolyte to be circulated between the structures to power the flow battery. Support structures 70 and 74 are used to provide respectively a negative electrolyte tank and a positive electrolyte tank, which may be integrally formed from the hollow structure of the support structure itself, to maximize the available tank volume within the structure, or may be formed by using one or more storage tanks housed within each support structure. Fig. 7a shows a cross-section of the support structure 70 through line a-a in Fig. 7, and shows that in this design, essentially all of the internal volume of the hollow structure 70 can be used as an integral storage tank, although it would be advantageous that any part of the hollow structure could be used to form such an integral storage tank. For example, in an alternative design, the upper branch part of the structure can be used for the electrolyte to be stored in the volume of the hollow structure above a height where the structure can be exposed to impact damage from a vehicle colliding with the support structure. Fig. 7c similarly shows a cross-section of the support structure 74 through line c-c i

Fig. 7, and shows that in this design, preferably all of the internal volume of the hollow structure 74 can be used as an integral long tank for storing negative electrolyte, although it would be advantageous to envisage other configurations, as described in connection with Fig . 7a.

Support structure 72 is designed to provide the electrochemical cell through which electrolyte is circulated by pumps 77, 78. Fig. 7b shows a cross-section along the line b-b in Fig. 7, and illustrates the diaphragm 75 positioned between two electrodes 81, 83. In the illustrated embodiment, the diaphragm 78 runs vertically between the top and bottom of the interior of the support structure 72 to divide its hollow volume 1 into two sections to separate the

DK 2023 00055 U1 negative electrolyte 71 on one side from the positive electrolyte 73 on the other side. The operation of the flow battery uses the same principle as the design in Fig. 6. The pump 77 circulates the negative electrolyte from the negative electrolyte tank provided by, or within, the support structure 70 via a supply line 84 connected between the support structure 70 and the support structure 72, through a volume within the support structure 72 on a first side of the membrane 75 and past electrode 81. The circulating negative electrolyte 71 is returned to the negative electrolyte tank via a return line 85 connected between the support structure 72 and the support structure 70. In a similar manner, the pump 78 circulates the positive electrolyte from the positive electrolyte tank provided by, or inside, support structure 74 via a supply line 86 connected between support structure 74 and support structure 72, through a volume inside support structure 72 on another side of membrane 75 and because electrode 83. The circulating positive electrolyte 73 is returned to the positive electrolyte tank via a return line 87 connected between the support structure 72 and the support structure 74. The electrodes, membrane and/or electrolytes can be the same as used in the design in Fig. 6, or may be selected from any other material and chemical components suitable for operation of the flow battery. Although the positive and negative electrolyte tanks, and the electrochemical cell, are shown in

Fig. 7 as they occupy the whole of the respective support structures 70, 72 and 74, it will be advantageous that the tanks and cell can be housed in any suitable part of the respective structures. Furthermore, the tanks and cell can be housed in more or less than the three illustrated support structures, for example by providing positive electrolyte tanks in two or more support structures, negative electrolyte tanks in two or more support structures, and connecting these four or more tanks to a separate support structure configured to provide the electrochemical cell.

Although supply lines 84 and 86 are shown as supplying electrolyte into the top of the electrochemical cell and return lines 85 and 87 are shown returning electrolyte from the bottom of the electrochemical cell to electrolyte tanks, other configurations of supply and return lines may be provided for circulating electrolyte through the electrochemical cell.

For example, electrolyte may be provided to the bottom of the electrochemical cell, and pumped upward through the cell and returned from the top of the support structure 72 to the electrolyte tanks. On

DK 2023 00055 U1 similarly made are supply lines 84 and 86, as well as return lines 85 and 87 shown as connecting to the bottom of the negative and positive electrolyte tanks in the support structure 70 and 74, but alternative configurations may be used. For example, electrolyte may be supplied from the top of the tanks and returned to the bottom, or vice versa. It would also be advantageous that while the two pumps 77, 78 are shown for circulating electrolytes, different circulation designs can be provided, including different pump designs with different types of pumps, and/or different numbers and positions of the pumps.

Furthermore, it is possible in some designs to make use of gravity to help circulate electrolyte from the storage tanks through the electrochemical cell. For example, gravity can be used to assist in feeding electrolyte from the bottom of the electrolyte tanks into the electrochemical cell, by feeding electrolyte from the bottom of the tanks into the cell.

Fn inverter 89 can be provided as described in connection with

Fig. 6.

The hollow support structure shown in the figures may be constructed of various materials which enable them to provide the degree of protection required in a given application. For example, hydrogen storage tanks as described in connection with Fig. 4 and 5 meet certain safety requirements including standards in relation to this, for example, burst tests, impact tests, as well as pressure, leakage, fatigue, temperature and fire tests, among others. Similar safety requirements will also apply to electrolyte storage tanks described in connection with Fig. 6 and 7, which may have to meet standards in relation to, for example, impact resistance, leakage testing, chemical resistance and/or temperature testing, among others.

The installation of hydrogen or electrolyte storage tanks within the hollow support structures allows the construction of the support structures themselves to provide some or all of the required protection. In some cases, such tanks can be provided as separate components which already meet the safety and performance requirements and which are housed within the hollow support structures. The support structure can be made of FRP and can be reinforced with carbon fibers, aramid fibers, or various forms of flax or hemp fibers. In that case, the support structure can provide an additional degree of protection

0 DK 2023 00055 U1 of discrete tanks by providing additional impact, temperature, fire or chemical protection, for example. A filling of foam material can be provided in any cavity between the support structure and a tank housed within it, to provide additional thermal insulation, impact protection or fire protection, for example. Any material provided within the hollow support structure may also be selected and placed to provide sound insulation, for example, to isolate the sound from the pumps 67a, 67b shown in the flow battery design of Fig. 6, or any other equipment housed inside the support structure. Especially such sound insulation can be provided by including foam filling in selected places inside the hollow support structure, as it now fits.

Where a discrete tank is mounted within the support structure, it may be possible for the material of the support structure to provide additional protection to a tank that would otherwise not meet specific regulated requirements, so that the combination of the tank construction and the support structure meets specific requirements for the entire installation.

Suitable tanks for hydrogen storage may include those used in hydrogen-powered vehicles, for example, and such tanks may be used or adapted to locations within the support structures. Such tanks may be constructed of polymer based materials and may include composite materials which may use an epoxy resin matrix. In particular, epoxy resin can provide the required degree of protection in a composite material. Suitable composite materials can be reinforced by using carbon fibres, glass fibers or synthetic aramid fibers such as Kevlar, in wire mesh or fabric. Alternatively, tanks can be made of stainless steel or aluminium, reinforced with carbon fibres, glass fibers or aramid fibres, for example wrapped around a cylindrical metal tank, to provide adequate strength and impact resistance. In other examples, an aluminum or steel liner can be used with glass, aramid or carbon fibers to form a metal matrix composite.

In some examples, suitable tanks may comprise carbon fibers lined with a polymeric material. Combinations of steel and/or composite material can provide tanks capable of storing hydrogen under pressure up to about 700 bar (70 MPa).

When a tank is installed within the hollow support structure, the support structure can provide additional structural integrity to the tank, thereby improving the overall performance of the tank.

1 DK 2023 00055 U1

Where the hollow support structure is used to provide an integrated storage tank for hydrogen (as in Fig. 5) or battery electrolytes (as in Figs. 6 and 7), the support structure may comprise an FRP material and lined with a suitable composite material which is constructed in such a way as to provide the required pressure classification, and meet other performance criteria as mentioned above.

Suitable tanks for flow battery electrolyte storage, which can be used in the designs 1 Fig. 7 and 8 may comprise polymer or stainless steel tanks, or may be made of other suitable materials normally used for electrolyte storage in flow batteries.

Where the hollow support structure is used to provide storage tanks for flow battery electrolyte storage, the support structure may comprise an FRP material and be internally lined or coated to provide adequate chemical resistance to the structure to enable the use of the storage tank. For example, chemically resistant adhesive, resin, or gel coatings may be applied to the interior of the structure to provide a suitable interior surface for use as an electrolyte storage tank, and/or the interior of the support structure may be lined with any suitable material that provides the required chemical resistance.

Although the hydrogen storage embodiments in Fig. 4 and 5 have been described as separate systems from the flow battery embodiments in

Fig. 6 and 7, it will be advantageous for hydrogen storage and flow batteries to be combined within several support structures in a single solar carport installation. In other words, a carport installation may include several of the hollow support structures shown, supporting a roof spanning between them, preferably supporting solar cells for generating electricity, and providing space between and around the support structures for parking vehicles below the roof structure. One or more of the support structures can be used to provide one or more flow batteries, as described above, while other support structures can be used to provide hydrogen storage. In this way, the carport installation can provide electricity generation and storage, as well as EV charging and hydrogen fuel delivery to vehicles. In some cases, a single support structure can contain both hydrogen storage and battery storage, and a single support structure can provide both hydrogen dispensing and an EV charging point.

Furthermore, by providing hollow support structures which can house either electrolyte storage tanks for use in a flow battery or

DK 2023 00055 U1 hydrogen storage tanks, it is possible for these storage tanks to be replaceable, so that electrolyte storage tanks can be replaced with hydrogen storage tanks, and vice versa. In this way, it is possible to provide a carport installation that is flexible and can be adapted to the requirements for a special change of the space over time, and also provide future protection in relation to changed technologies. For example, the use of hydrogen storage 1 a solar cell carport may become more widespread with increased use of technologies for hydrogen production from solar energy, in which case greater capacity may be required to store hydrogen produced on site from solar energy generated by the carport structure itself.

In particular, by configuring support structures to provide structural protection against impact, fire, etc., as mentioned above, the structures can be suitable for either hydrogen storage or electricity storage. Similarly, by choosing suitable materials and constructions or the storage tanks, whether these are installed within the support structures or designed integrally with the support structures themselves, the storage tanks can be configured to be suitable for storing either hydrogen or flow battery electrolyte without changing the thoughts. The support structures can then be changed in the future, if required, by changing a support structure from being used as a hydrogen storage tank to a flow battery, or vice versa, without having to move the tanks.

The outer surface of the described structures can be used to provide space for advertising and/or for other means of communication with a user, such as display screens that provide information or instructions, flexible electronics or TFT panels flush-mounted on the surface of the support structure, or use interfaces such as touch screens to complete payments for EV charging, parking etc. The profiled support structures (shown in more detail in Fig. 1) can be coated with a synthetic or PVC film wrap, for displaying advertisements or other marketing or information.

It will be advantageous from the above description that the carport can be formed from support structures with several different advantageous properties, and the embodiments described in connection with the figures can be implemented in any combination.

3 DK 2023 00055 U1

The hollow nature of the structure makes it possible, without limitations, to integrate the following into the design of the structure: cables, wires, electrical components, water pipes, water storage, battery integration. The carport and hollow support structures can also be used as Wi-Fi or mobile phone signal booster devices as the support structures are preferably not formed using conductive materials (and are preferably formed of GRP or other

FRP) and will then not act as an antenna or interfere with Wi-Fi or other signal amplifying devices placed inside rooms in the support structures. This provides a significant advantage over conventional carport structures, which are typically constructed of steel, and which also do not provide an interior space to accommodate such equipment. In some embodiments, the interior space of the support structures can be used to accommodate cell phone or Wi-Fi 153 antennas and amplifiers in locations where conventional antennas are located elsewhere nearby.

Although references are made in the specification to the use of GRP or other FRP materials to form the support structures of the carport, other suitable materials may also be used, preferably other non-electrically conductive materials, particularly where these may be used to form a hollow support structure of the type shown, to achieve similar benefits as described.

Claims (25)

4 DK 2023 00055 U1 USE MODE LKRAV 1. A solar carport comprising: at least one support structure and a roof supported by at least one support structure, the roof is arranged to support at least one solar panel, at least one support structure is formed from an FRP material and comprises an outer shell enclosing an inner volume , and at least one hydrogen storage tank located within the inner volume for storing hydrogen fuel for delivery to a vehicle. 2. The solar cell carport according to claim 1, in which at least one hydrogen storage tank is designed for storing hydrogen under pressure of between 2 and 20 Mpa. 3. The solar cell carport according to claim 1 or 2, in which at least one hydrogen storage tank is formed of stainless steel surrounded by carbon fibers. 4. The solar cell carport according to the preceding claim, in which at least one hydrogen storage tank is integrally shaped by the internal volume of at least one support structure. 5. The solar cell car port according to the preceding claim, in which at least one support structure includes dispensing means for dispensing hydrogen stored in the storage tank to a vehicle. 6. A solar carport comprising: at least one support structure and a roof supported by at least one support structure, the roof is designed to support at least one solar panel, at least one support structure is designed from an FRP material and comprises an outer shell enclosing an inner volume; at least one electrolyte storage tank for storing liquid anolyte and catholyte, an electrochemical cell comprising a pair of electrodes separated by a membrane; and at least one pump designed to circulate the anolyte and the catholyte between the storage tank(s) and the electrochemical cell to form a flow battery, wherein the at least one electrolyte storage tank is located within the inner volume of the at least one support structure. Ds DK 2023 00055 U1 7. The solar cell carport according to claim 6, in which an anolyte storage tank is provided in a first support structure, a catholy storage tank is provided in a second support structure, and the electrochemical cell is provided in a third support structure. 8. the solar carport 1 according to claim 6, in which at least one support structure comprises a preferably upright central stem part for mounting on the ground, and a branch part for supporting the roof, the branch part comprises two branch parts extending laterally in opposite directions, and in which separate anolyte and catholy storage tanks are placed inside respective branch parts of the support structure, and the electrochemical cell is placed between the anolyte and catholy storage tanks, and preferably in the trunk part. 9. The solar carport according to claim 7, in which the membrane is intended to preferably cover the full length of the support structure. 10. The solar cell carport according to one of claims 6 to 9, in which at least one electrolyte storage tank is integrally shaped by the inner volume of at least one support structure. 11. The solar cell carport according to one of claims 6 to 10, in which at least one electrolyte storage tank comprises an acid-resistant lining or coating placed on an inside surface of the FRP material. 12. The solar cell carport according to one of claims 6 to 11, in which at least one electrolyte storage tank is made of a polymer or stainless steel material. 13. The solar cell carport according to one of claims 6 to 12, in which the flow battery is arranged to store electrical energy generated by at least one solar PV panel supported on the roof. 14. The solar cell carport according to one of claims 6 to 13, wherein at least one support structure comprises a charging point for an electric vehicle (EV) powered by the battery. 15. The solar cell carport according to one of claims 6 to 14, in which at least one support structure comprises a hydrogen storage tank placed within the inner volume for storing hydrogen fuel for delivery to a vehicle. 16. The solar cell carport according to the preceding claim, in which each support structure comprises a preferably erected central stem The DK 2023 00055 U1 part for mounting on the ground, and a branch part for supporting the roof, the branch part comprises at least one laterally extending branch part. 17. The solar cell carport according to claim 16, wherein at least one laterally extending branch part is shaped to provide a preferably planar upper surface for supporting the roof. 18. The solar cell carport according to claim 17, in which the branch part comprises two branch parts extending laterally in opposite directions, and are formed from a single piece of FRP material. 19. The solar cell carport according to claim 18, in which at least one storage tank is placed above ground level, inside at least one of the laterally extending branch parts. 20. The solar cell carport according to one of the preceding claims, in which the roof comprises several roof elements each extending in one direction to form a span between two separate support parts, each roof element being arranged parallel to, and connected to, a adjacent roof element. 21. The solar cell carport according to claim 20, wherein each roof element comprises a preferably flat base and side wicks which preferably extend perpendicularly from the base to form an unshaped cross-section, roof elements are arranged so that the side walls of adjacent roof elements lie up to each other and are connected together along the length of the span. 22. The solar carport according to claim 21, in which at least one roof element, and preferably every other roof element, are provided with a laterally extended flange extending from a distal edge of at least one side wall, and intended to sit against the distal edge of the side wall of an adjacent roof element. 23. The solar carport according to one of claims 20 to 22, in which the roof elements are formed from FRP, for example fiberglass, with a foam or PET core. 24. The solar carport according to one of the preceding claims also includes at least one solar panel, especially a solar panel or thermal solar panel, mounted on the roof. 25. The solar carport according to one of the preceding claims, further comprises at least one thermal solar panel, mounted on the roof, and a storage tank placed inside the room in at least one of > DK 2023 00055 U1 the support structures, at least one thermal solar panel is intended to heat water for storage in the storage tank.